Delivery systems and compositions for inclusion therein

ABSTRACT

Non-combustible provision systems including a tobacco flavor composition including volatile and semi-volatile tobacco flavor compounds. Aerosol-generating materials including the tobacco flavor composition, consumables, and the use of these compositions for providing long-lasting flavor from a non-combustible aerosol provision system.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/GB2021/051574, filed Jun. 22, 2021, which claims priority from GB Application No. 2009493.4, filed Jun. 22, 2020, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to delivery systems comprising a tobacco flavor composition comprising volatile and semi-volatile tobacco flavor components. The invention also relates to aerosol-generating materials comprising the tobacco flavor composition, consumables, and the use of said tobacco flavor compositions.

BACKGROUND

Many delivery systems use tobacco or tobacco extracts to provide flavors as well as to deliver other tobacco components including nicotine.

There is a need in the art for compositions suitable for addition to delivery systems to introduce desired sensory characteristics. In particular, it is desirable to provide enhanced tobacco characteristics, including tobacco flavors and aromas.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure.

In some embodiments, the aerosol provision system is a tobacco heating product comprising an aerosol-generating material which is to be heated to volatilize constituents.

In some embodiments, the aerosol provision system is a hybrid product comprising an aerosol-generating material which is to be heated to volatilize constituents, and a liquid which is to be heated to form a vapor.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises the tobacco flavor composition.

In some embodiments, the liquid comprises the tobacco flavor composition.

In some embodiments, the liquid is a nicotine-free liquid.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating material for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, comprising a concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure.

In some embodiments of either aspect, the tobacco flavor composition comprises a tobacco extract and a solvent, wherein the tobacco extract is prepared by molecular distillation and high vacuum fractionation, and wherein the extract comprises concentrated volatile tobacco flavor compounds, including a first fraction of tobacco compounds having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure, and a second fraction of tobacco compounds having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure.

In some embodiments, the tobacco extract comprises a high concentration of volatile flavor and aroma compounds compared to a tobacco extract prepared by a conventional aqueous extraction process.

In some embodiments, the extract is diluted from about 100 fold to about 1000 fold to make a 1% w/w to 0.1% w/w solution.

In some embodiments, a volume of the diluted extract is applied to tobacco material to give final extract concentration in the tobacco material of 0.01-0.1% by dry weight.

In some embodiments, the extract comprises from about 1% to about 20% nicotine prior to dilution.

In some embodiments, the extract diluted in the solvent comprises from about 0.1% to about 0.001% w/w nicotine.

In some embodiments, the extract comprises from about 5×10⁻⁵ to about 5×10⁻⁴% TSNAs prior to dilution.

In some embodiments, the extract diluted in the solvent comprises from about 1×10⁻¹⁰ to about 1×10⁻⁸% w/w TSNAs.

In some embodiments, the flavor composition comprises a solvent, optionally selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerine, vegetable glycerine, triacetin and ethanol.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a consumable for a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol-generating material according to the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the use of a concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavor component having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor component having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure, for providing long-lasting flavor from a non-combustible aerosol provision system.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the subject matter hereof. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify various embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

Embodiments of the present invention are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tobacco heating product for heating an aerosol-generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a hybrid device for heating an aerosol-generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material.

While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A first aspect of the invention provides a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavor compound or component having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor compound or component having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure.

In some embodiments, the tobacco flavor composition is a liquid.

Where the tobacco flavor composition is extracted from tobacco material, the extract will need to be diluted before it is incorporated into the aerosol provision system. This is because the flavors will otherwise be too concentrated or strong in the aerosol that is generated. This is because these desirable tobacco components are so effectively selected and enriched as a result of the extraction processes.

The diluted extract will comprise at least one volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure. Even when diluted, the tobacco flavor composition may be described as being concentrated compared to the presence of these flavor compounds in tobacco.

In some embodiments, the tobacco flavor composition is included in an aerosol-generating material. For example, the composition may be applied to an aerosol-generating material or may be incorporated into an aerosol-generating material.

The boiling points of the tobacco flavor compounds are selected to provide a tobacco flavor composition that is tailored to the temperatures to which the composition is heated by the delivery system. Upon heating by the delivery system, the temperature of the composition will increase to within a predetermined target temperature range and the composition contains volatile and semi-volatile tobacco compounds including flavor compounds that will be gradually released as the temperature of the composition increases and then reaches and is held within the target temperature range. Such a composition will provide longer lasting flavor generation and greater puff by puff flavor consistency.

For example, upon heating of the tobacco flavor composition by the delivery system, the volatile tobacco compounds with lower boiling points will be released first, followed by the semi-volatile tobacco compounds with higher boiling points. The less volatile compounds typically volatilize or distil towards the end of the heating session. It is crucial to have both these volatile and semi-volatile tobacco compounds in order to avoid all of the flavor being rapidly released when the composition is heated to a particular temperature.

This is in contrast to conventional tobacco extracts that usually include only highly volatile flavor compounds. When such extracts are used in tobacco heating products, the highly volatile flavor compounds tend to be rapidly released as soon as heating starts, so that the flavor delivery is very short-lived.

Upon use in a delivery system, the components of a tobacco flavor composition may not necessarily have to be heated to their boiling points in order to be volatilized. Rather, some compounds will be volatilized at lower temperatures, for example as a result of the presence of solvents such as water, propylene glycol or the like.

In addition, the rate at which the tobacco flavor composition is heated and the temperature to which it is heated will also be affected by the composition of the aerosol-generating material. For example, where the concentrated tobacco flavor composition is included with a carrier material, such as a tobacco material, the amount and properties, such a density, of the carrier material will also affect the heating of the flavor composition and the release of the volatile and semi-volatile compounds.

In some embodiments, the delivery system heats an aerosol-generating material comprising the tobacco flavor composition to a predetermined target temperature range target of from about 240 to about 250° C. Accordingly, the composition includes tobacco flavor compounds with boiling points in range of from about 240 to about 250° C. As explained elsewhere, similar to what is seen with nicotine, some of these tobacco flavor compounds will start to volatilize or distil out of the aerosol-generating material at temperatures lower than their boiling point.

Tobacco Flavor Compounds

Cured tobacco contains hundreds of volatile, semi-volatile and non-volatile compounds or components. Most of the desirable flavor/aroma compounds (volatiles/semi-volatiles) are believed to be generated by the oxidative and chemical degradation of terpenoids and carotenoids during the curing and aging process.

In some embodiments, the compounds included in the tobacco flavor compositions include: lactones, such as beta-damascenone and beta-ionone; carboxylic acids, such as acetic acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid and 3-methylbutanoic acid; phenols, such as 2-methoxyphenol and eugenol; pyrazines, such as 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine; and alcohols, such as furaneol and geraniol.

In some embodiments, the components of the tobacco flavor compositions discussed herein are extracted from cured tobacco.

Extraction Processes

Many techniques have been developed in order to isolate volatile flavor compounds from tobacco, including, for example, distillation techniques such as short-path distillation, simultaneous distillation-extraction, cold-finger molecular distillation and reduced-pressure steam distillation. However, these techniques tend to give low recoveries for flavor compounds of low volatility. Extraction techniques such as solid phase microextraction and hollow-fiber liquid phase microextraction, have also been developed and are used as rapid and convenient methods of isolating volatile flavor compounds. However, they also extract higher boiling point compounds such as pigments and high molecular compounds in tobacco leaf.

In the present invention, higher boiling point compounds (e.g. 200-300° C.) are selectively extracted and isolated, whilst minimizing the extraction and isolation of non-volatiles which are undesirable, such as, for example, fatty acids, amino acids, sugars and polyphenols, etc.

This provides the compositions disclosed herein with advantageous properties compared with conventional extracts which frequently do not include both volatile and semi-volatile compounds.

In some embodiments, the tobacco flavor composition is a tobacco extract prepared from tobacco material by solvent extraction and molecular distillation, wherein the extract comprises concentrated volatile and semi-volatile tobacco flavor compounds, including a first fraction of volatile tobacco compounds having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure, and a second fraction of semi-volatile tobacco components having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the extracts are diluted in a solvent before use.

In some embodiments, the tobacco extracts are prepared from a tobacco starting material and involve conventional solvent extraction followed by molecular distillation under high vacuum conditions. Conducting the extraction process under high vacuum conditions means that higher boiling point compounds can be isolated whilst also minimizing the time of exposure of the tobacco material to elevated temperatures. The high vacuum reduces the natural boiling points of the desired components of the tobacco material, allowing the compounds to be isolated at lower temperatures.

Conventional solvent extraction processes for tobacco material often involve an aqueous extraction step. The tobacco material is contacted with an aqueous solution and water soluble tobacco components are extracted with the liquid component whilst water insoluble components remain in the tobacco material. The liquid extract is separated from the solid extracted tobacco material and may undergo further processing, such as vacuum concentration.

The aqueous extraction process may be used on ground tobacco and/or at elevated temperatures, to enhance the extraction of the water soluble components. Other solvents may also be included in the aqueous solution to maximize the extraction of compounds with different polarities.

These conventional extraction processes have the drawback that they fail to efficiently extract the desirable volatile flavor and aroma compounds. Indeed, many of the desirable flavor and aroma compounds are not water soluble. Furthermore, the extracts produced are dilute and will generally need to be concentrated before they can be used. This concentration step will often involve heating and can lead to the further loss of volatile compounds, especially the highly volatile flavor and aroma compounds.

In contrast, the use of molecular distillation results in a highly concentrated extracts which are rich in volatile tobacco compounds (namely those having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure) and semi-volatile compounds (namely including a first fraction of tobacco compounds having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure).

The highly desirable volatile flavor and aroma compounds that are contained in the extracts are tobacco components that have a boiling point of less than 250° C. at atmospheric pressure. As a result, when incorporated into a delivery system, the system will release these desirable compounds in a highly controlled, consistent and predictable manner, especially in contrast to conventional tobacco extracts.

The extracts contain such high concentrations of the highly desirable volatile and semi-volatile flavor and aroma compounds that they need to be included in a delivery system in diluted form. Consequently, the amounts of less desirable tobacco components such as nicotine and tobacco-specific nitrosamines included in the delivery system are actually reduced as a result of the dilution of the extract.

In some embodiments, the concentration range of nicotine in the tobacco flavor compositions is from about 0.001% to about 0.1% w/w. In some embodiments, the concentration range of tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) in the tobacco flavor compositions is from about 1×10⁻¹⁰ to about 1×10⁻⁸% w/w.

Extraction Solvents

Solvents suitable for use in extracting the compositions disclosed herein include non-polar, volatile solvents such as petroleum ether/hexane. These are chosen as they are efficient at extracting non-polar flavor compounds from the tobacco and are volatile enough so that the solvent can be completely removed (under vacuum) prior to fractionation.

Diluting Solvents

It is necessary for the highly concentrated tobacco flavor compositions to be diluted in one or more solvents. The flavor compositions are insoluble or only very poorly soluble in water. Suitable solvents for diluting the compositions therefore include polyols and glycols. In some embodiments, the solvent is selected from the group consisting of: propylene glycol, glycerine, vegetable glycerine, triacetin and ethanol.

In some embodiments, propylene glycol (PG) is particularly preferred solvent as it is less hydrophilic than other solvents, such as glycerine, and therefore dissolves the tobacco flavor composition well. Also PG is useful as it is easily applied to the tobacco material in a manner similar to the application of flavors which are usually sprayed on.

In some embodiments, the solvent is selected based upon the type of delivery system the diluted tobacco flavor composition is to be used in. For example, propylene glycol (PG) and/or vegetable glycerine (VG) are both solvents and acceptable aerosol former materials that are used in a variety of delivery systems, including vapor products (commonly known as “electronic cigarettes” or “e-cigarettes”), heat-not-burn products (such as Tobacco Heating Products (THPs) and Carbon Tip Heating Products (CTHPs)), and hybrid products.

Tobacco

As used herein, the term “tobacco material” refers to a material derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species. The selection of the plant of the Nicotiana species is not limited, and the types of tobacco or tobaccos used may vary.

In some embodiments, the tobacco material is selected from flue-cured or Virginia, Burley, sun-cured, Maryland, dark, dark-fired, dark air cured, light air cured, Indian air cured, Red Russian and Rustica tobaccos, and mixtures thereof, as well as various other rare or specialty tobaccos, green or cured. Tobacco material produced via any other type of tobacco treatment which could modify the tobacco taste, such as fermented tobacco or genetic modification or crossbreeding techniques, is also within the scope of the present invention. For example, it is envisaged that tobacco plants may be genetically engineered or crossbred to increase or decrease production of components, characteristics or attributes.

In some embodiments, the tobacco material is selected from the leaves, stems, stalks of the plant, and various combinations of these parts. The tobacco material used to form the tobacco extracts may thus comprise an entire plant or any portion of a plant of the Nicotiana species.

Delivery Systems

As used herein, non-combustible aerosol provision systems are systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials.

According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavorants. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about 50 wt %, 60 wt % or 70 wt % of amorphous solid, to about 90 wt %, 95 wt % or 100 wt % of amorphous solid.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavors, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises the tobacco extract and solvent.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

In some embodiments, the tobacco flavor composition is included in the aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel.

In some embodiments, the tobacco flavor composition according to the present disclosure is included in the aerosol-generating material in the form of a flavorant, a casing or a combination thereof, or in the form of reconstituted tobacco which includes the tobacco flavor composition.

Where the tobacco flavor composition is included in a liquid aerosol-generating material, the tobacco flavor composition may be mixed with further liquid components, optionally including those conventionally used in non-combustible aerosol provision systems such as e-cigarettes and hybrid devices. Where the tobacco flavor composition includes a solvent to dilute the tobacco flavor components, the solvent may be added to the tobacco flavor composition before addition to the further liquid components or they may be added separately.

Where the tobacco flavor composition includes a solvent to dilute the tobacco flavor compounds and the flavor composition is included in a solid or gel aerosol-generating material, the solvent is, in some embodiments, added to the tobacco flavor composition before the tobacco flavor composition is added to the other components of the aerosol-generating material.

The tobacco flavor composition may, in some embodiments, be added to the solid or gel material by application onto the surface of the solid or gel material, for example by being sprayed onto the solid or gel material. In some embodiments, the solid or gel aerosol-generating material may be impregnated with the tobacco flavor composition, for example by injecting the tobacco flavor composition into the solid or gel aerosol-generating material, or by co-processing the components of the solid or gel aerosol-generating material and tobacco flavor composition.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises tobacco and the tobacco flavor composition may be included within a flavor or casing formulation for application to a tobacco or within a top dressing formulation. Alternatively, the tobacco flavor composition may be included as an ingredient of a reconstituted tobacco material.

In some embodiments, the tobacco flavor composition is included in the aerosol-generating material in a suitable amount depending on the desired function of the tobacco flavor composition, the chemical composition of the flavor composition and the type of aerosol-generating material to which the flavor composition is added. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises the tobacco flavor composition in an amount of from about 0.0001% to about 10% of the aerosol-generating material based on the total dry weight of the aerosol-generating material to which the flavor composition is added. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises the tobacco flavor composition in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 1% by weight of the aerosol-generating material based on the total dry weight of the aerosol-generating material to which the flavor composition is added. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises the tobacco flavor composition in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the aerosol-generating material based on the total dry weight of aerosol-generating material to which the flavor composition is added. The tobacco flavor compositions referred to herein may comprise a solvent, if appropriate, and the amounts may then refer to the composition including the solvent.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material further comprises an aerosol-former material. The aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerine, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

In some embodiments where the tobacco flavor composition is soluble in an aerosol-former material, the aerosol-former material may be used as the solvent or one of the solvents for diluting the tobacco extract.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energized so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a tobacco heating product for heating an aerosol-generating material. The apparatus 11 has a heating chamber 14 which in use contains the aerosol-generating material to be heated and volatilized. In this embodiment, the aerosol-generating material is a monolithic form 13. The aerosol-generating material could however be multiple particles of aerosol-generating material held in the heating chamber or provided in a cartridge.

The apparatus 11 of FIG. 1 further has an electronics/power chamber 16 which may, for example, contain electrical control circuitry and/or a power source (not shown). The electrical control circuitry may include a controller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, configured and arranged to control the heating of the aerosol-generating material via a heating element (not shown). The electrical control circuitry may in use receive a signal from for example a puff-actuated sensor which is sensitive to for example changes in pressure or changes in rate of air flow that occur upon initiation of a draw on the apparatus 11 by a user. The electrical control circuitry can then operate so as to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material “on demand”. Various arrangements for a puff-actuated sensor are available, including for example a thermistor, an electro-mechanical device, a mechanical device, an optical device, an opto-mechanical device and a micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) based sensor. As an alternative, the apparatus may have a manually operable switch for a user to initiate a puff.

The heating chamber 14 is contained within the housing 12. There may be a support and/or insulating means (not shown) positioned between the heating chamber 14 and the housing 12, for example to assist in heat-insulating the housing 12 from the heating chamber 14, so that the housing 12 does not become hot or at least too hot to touch during use.

The housing 12 includes an inlet 15 through which air is drawn into the apparatus. The housing 12 also includes an outlet 17 at a mouthpiece 18 of the apparatus 11. Air is drawn into the apparatus 11 through the inlet 15, travels through the apparatus picking up the active substance and other volatile constituents released by the aerosol-generating material 13, and the resulting aerosol generated by the apparatus 11 leaves the apparatus 11 through the outlet 19 and is inhaled by the user.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a hybrid product for heating an aerosol-generating material and a liquid. The apparatus 21 has a housing 22 containing a chamber 24 which in use contains the aerosol-generating material to be heated and volatilized. In this embodiment, the aerosol-generating material is in a monolithic form 23. The aerosol-generating material could however be multiple particles of aerosol-generating material held in the chamber or provided in a cartridge. The housing 22 also contains a liquid reservoir 25 containing a liquid 26 to be heated to form a vapor.

The apparatus 21 further has an electronics/power chamber 27 which may, for example, contain electrical control circuitry and/or a power source (not shown). The electrical control circuitry may include a controller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, configured and arranged to control the heating of the aerosol-generating material and of the liquid 26 via one or more heating elements (not shown). The electrical control circuitry may allow the apparatus 21 to be puff-actuated, so as to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material “on demand”. As an alternative, the apparatus 22 may have a manually operable switch for a user to initiate a puff.

The housing 22 also includes an inlet 28 through which air is drawn into the apparatus. The housing 22 also includes an outlet 29 at a mouthpiece 30 of the apparatus 21. Air is drawn into the apparatus 21 through the inlet 28, travels through the apparatus picking up the vapor created by heating the liquid 26 in the liquid reservoir 25, and active substance(s) and volatile component released by the aerosol-generating material 23, and the resulting aerosol generated by the apparatus 21 leaves the apparatus 21 through the outlet 29 and is inhaled by the user.

The hybrid device 21 shown schematically in FIG. 2 represents just one possible configuration of such an apparatus. The relative positions of the liquid reservoir 25 and the aerosol-generating material chamber 24 can be changed, as can the path of the air flowing through the apparatus.

In one embodiment, the liquid reservoir is positioned upstream of the aerosol-generating material to be volatilized. Alternatively, the liquid reservoir may be positioned downstream of the aerosol-generating material to be volatilized. In a yet further arrangement, the two sources of aerosol in the apparatus may be arranged side-by-side, etc.

In some embodiments, the vapor produced by heating the liquid in the liquid reservoir flows over or through the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the elevated temperature of the vapor causes the active substance and volatile components to be released. Alternatively or in addition, the aerosol-generating material may be separately heated by a heating means.

In some embodiments, a hybrid device is provided in which the vapor created by heating a liquid heats the aerosol-generating material in order to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the liquid is a nicotine-free liquid. In other embodiments, the liquid contains nicotine. Where the aerosol-generating material is heated by the vapor to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material, in certain embodiments the device does not include a separate means for heating the aerosol-generating material.

In other embodiments, the vapor produced by heating the liquid in the liquid reservoir does not flows over or through the aerosol-generating material. Rather, this vapor and the aerosol generated by heating the aerosol-generating material only mix after they are both formed.

The tobacco heating products and hybrid products described herein may, in some embodiments, include containers or cartridges containing the aerosol-generating material. These containers or cartridges may be removable. They may replace both the chamber holding the aerosol-generating material and the aerosol-generating material in the apparatus described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , and in the alternative embodiments discussed.

Examples

Aerosol-generating materials according to the present disclosure were prepared and used in non-combustible aerosol provision systems, namely in a Tobacco Heating Product (THP) and in a vapor product (an e-cigarette).

A tobacco flavor composition was prepared from tobacco material by solvent extraction and molecular distillation, producing a first fraction of volatile tobacco compounds having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure, and a second fraction of semi-volatile tobacco compounds having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure. The composition was enriched with volatile and semi-volatile tobacco compounds to the extent that the extract had to be diluted in propylene glycol before use in a delivery system. Two different dilutions were tested, including 0.01% w/w and 0.1% w/w tobacco extract in PG.

For inclusion in a THP, the diluted extract samples were sprayed onto a base of reconstituted tobacco material, in a similar manner to how top flavors are added to reconstituted tobacco prior to manufacture of sticks and consumables.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.

Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.

Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.

Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim. 

1. A non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure.
 2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprises a tobacco extract prepared from tobacco material by molecular distillation and high vacuum fractionation, wherein the extract comprises concentrated tobacco flavor compounds, including a first fraction of tobacco compounds having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure, and a second fraction of tobacco compounds having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure, and wherein the extract is diluted in a solvent.
 3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tobacco extract comprises a high concentration of volatile flavor and aroma compounds compared to a tobacco extract prepared by a conventional aqueous extraction process.
 4. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the extract is diluted from about 100 fold to about 1000 fold to make a 1% w/w to 0.1% w/w solution.
 5. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein a volume of the diluted extract is applied to tobacco material to give final extract concentration in the tobacco material of 0.01-0.1% by dry weight.
 6. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the extract comprises from about 1% to about 20% nicotine prior to dilution.
 7. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the extract diluted in the solvent comprises from about 0.1% to about 0.001% w/w nicotine.
 8. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the extract comprises from about 5×10⁻⁵ to about 5×10⁻⁴% TSNAs prior to dilution.
 9. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the extract diluted in the solvent comprises from about 1×10⁻¹⁰ to about 1×10⁻⁸% w/w TSNAs.
 10. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flavor composition comprises a solvent, optionally selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerine, vegetable glycerine, triacetin and ethanol.
 11. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aerosol provision system is a tobacco heating product comprising an aerosol-generating material which is to be heated to volatilize constituents.
 12. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aerosol provision system is a hybrid product comprising an aerosol-generating material which is to be heated to volatilize constituents, and a liquid which is to be heated to form a vapor.
 13. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the tobacco flavor composition.
 14. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the liquid comprises the tobacco flavor composition.
 15. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the liquid is a nicotine-free liquid.
 16. An aerosol-generating material for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, comprising a concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure.
 17. An aerosol-generating material as claimed in claim 16, wherein the tobacco flavor composition comprises a tobacco extract and a solvent, wherein the tobacco extract is prepared by molecular distillation and high vacuum fractionation, and wherein the extract comprises concentrated volatile tobacco flavor compounds, including a first fraction of tobacco compounds having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure, and a second fraction of tobacco compounds having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure.
 18. An aerosol-generating material as claimed in claim 17, wherein the extract comprises a high concentration of volatile flavor and aroma compounds compared to a tobacco extract prepared by a conventional aqueous extraction process.
 19. An aerosol-generating material as claimed in claim 17, wherein the extract is diluted from about 100 fold to about 1000 fold to make a 1% w/w to 0.1% w/w solution.
 20. An aerosol-generating material as claimed in claim 19, wherein a volume of the diluted extract is applied to tobacco material to give final extract concentration in the tobacco material of 0.01-0.1% by dry weight.
 21. An aerosol-generating material as claimed in claim 17, wherein the extract comprises from about 1% to about 20% nicotine prior to dilution.
 22. An aerosol-generating material as claimed in claim 17, wherein the extract diluted in the solvent comprises from about 0.1% to about 0.001% w/w nicotine.
 23. An aerosol-generating material as claimed in claim 17, wherein the extract comprises from about 5×10⁻⁵ to about 5×10⁻⁴% TSNAs prior to dilution.
 24. An aerosol-generating material as claimed in claim 17, wherein the extract diluted in the solvent comprises from about 1×10⁻¹⁰ to about 1×10⁻⁸% w/w TSNAs.
 25. An aerosol-generating material as claimed in claim 17, wherein the tobacco flavor composition comprises a solvent, optionally selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerine, vegetable glycerine, triacetin and ethanol.
 26. A consumable for a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol-generating material as claimed in claim
 17. 27. Use of a concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavor component having a boiling point of less than 200° C. at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor component having a boiling point between 200 and 250° C. at atmospheric pressure, for providing long-lasting flavor from a non-combustible aerosol provision system. 